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Kathryn Lay by Lisa Beamer

It all started in second grade. She won her first writing award -- a gold star on a story that was hung on the wall for Open House. Kathryn Lay has been writing ever since.

"I love taking something in my life that, small or big, has changed me or challenged me in some way, and share it with readers who may be changed, challenged, encouraged or taught," reflects Kathryn, who has written 450 articles, essays, and short stories for both print and online markets.

Kathryn also enjoys writing children's fiction, a love that was sparked by reading Madeleine L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time." "Fantasy is my escape," says Kathryn. "I love the characters, the adventure, the quest, the happy endings, and the language of it."

Among her biggest supporters is her husband of 21 years, Richard. "He's the love of my life and the best supporter of my writing," says Kathryn. "He gives me time to write, never complained when the money was small, brags to everyone about my writing, and is there when I am down to encourage me to keep going." Together Kathryn and Richard reside in Kathryn's hometown of Arlington, Texas with 10-year-old daughter Michelle, whom they adopted when she was nine months old.

Kathryn credits her mother for being her first fan and still one of her biggest supporters. "Every Christmas, she still hangs up a laminated Christmas poem I wrote in fourth grade."

Kathryn's favorite place to write is sitting at her new desk and writing on her computer, however she also enjoys a change of scenery from time to time, taking pen and paper outdoors. "One of my very favorite places I rarely get to go to anymore is the Japanese Gardens in Fort Worth. Sitting in a pagoda, overlooking the pond with the giant Koi fish, trees reflecting in the water, watching cardinals fly by, no city sounds and barely another soul there. I take my pen and paper, a few things from my idea file and my camera. Sheer heaven on earth!"

Of all of her accomplishments as a writer, Kathryn is most proud of the fact that she can do something that she truly loves. She also feels good about the letters she's received from readers over the years, thanking her for what she's said.

When she isn't writing, she relaxes by going antiquing with Richard, going to the zoo with Michelle or relaxing in a hot tub with a soda, her favorite Celtic music and a fun fantasy to read.

Some fun facts about Kathryn:

Pets: Kathryn has two dogs, Tippy, a 13-year-old rat terrier mix and Penny, a 3-year-old black cock-a-poo who is "as wild as the wind."

Favorite Author: It's a toss up between Ray Bradbury and Brian Jacques.

Biggest Pet Peeve: "In life? Rude drivers. In writing? Getting no response from an editor at all."

Favorite vacation spot: The island of Galveston, Texas.

Last movie she saw: The Perfect Storm. "Loved it! Two thumbs up for excitement and tears at the end."

Her hobbies: Quilting, antiques, photographing nature, and reading both kids and adults fantasy novels.

If Kathryn could sit down and talk to any one person, it would be her great-grandmother who died 30 years ago at 96. Kathryn was 12 at the time. "We shared the same birthday and she loved to tell me stories of her life as a half-blooded Cherokee Indian, as a teenage married woman left alone on the plains for days having to hide from the local Indians who raided her cabin, of crossing to Texas in a covered wagon, of surviving the great 1900 Hurricane of Galveston, Texas. I would give anything to write down her stories and ask her how she found the strength to go through all these things."

If you'd like to contact fellow Momwriter Kathryn Lay, she can be reached at: rlay15@aol.com.

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